Saydel; Woodside & Cornell

Rene Hennessy

Student Teaching Weekly Log (Week 1)

March 25th, 2016

1. How did you spend your time this week? What responsibilities
did you have?
I spent my first week at Saydel observing Miss Newton. I did help
out by co-teaching on Wednesday and Thursday at Cornell
Elementary. We teach K-2nd grade there in the afternoons. I tried to
learn as many names as possible as we see more than two hundred
students there.
2. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were your
most challenging experiences?
The most satisfying experience was teaching the younger kids. I
love their enthusiasm. They are so fun, excited, and willing to make
mistakes! The most challenging experience was getting used to a
new routine. Every day at Saydel is different, so it was exhausting.
3. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
Next week I will start teaching 2nd period (7th and 8th grades) and
then three sections of kindergarten to get my feet wet here at
Saydel. Wednesday we are attending training all day.

Student Teaching Weekly Log (Week 2)

April 1st, 2016

1. How did you spend your time this week? What responsibilities
did you have?
My second week was spent teaching 2nd period Tuesday through
Friday, and also the kindergarten classes in the afternoon. I also
helped plan lessons and co-taught the other classes.
2. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were your
most challenging experiences?

Saydel; Woodside & Cornell

Rene Hennessy
The most satisfying experience was teaching an 8th grade class that
has some very advanced learners. I was able to challenge them a bit
more than the other class. I realized that class will be able to spend
more time practicing speaking than the other classes due to the
difference in levels. It showed me how different two eighth grade
classes can be!
The most challenging experience was watching and listening to
eighth graders put down others who don't speak English. There were
lots of comments in one class that were derogatory and very
disappointing to hear. We had to email parents about a few of the
kids.
3. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
Next week I will add the first graders to my schedule and teach
them. I will spend more time on the younger kids' lessons as last
week I focused more on the older kids. I am going to try and make
the younger kids' lessons more interactive and get them speaking
more on their own.

Student Teaching Weekly Log (Week 3)

April 8th, 2016

1. How did you spend your time this week? What responsibilities
did you have?
My third week was spent teaching 2nd period Tues. - Friday,
kindergarten and first graders. I also helped plan lessons and cotaught the other classes.
2. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were your
most challenging experiences?
The most satisfying experience was working with the younger kids
and knowing that they actually understood the lesson and were able
to ask and answer questions from each other in Spanish! The first
and second graders did great and are engaged in the lessons.

Saydel; Woodside & Cornell

Rene Hennessy
The most challenging experience was teaching kindergarten. They
are more restless and need more movement than the first and
second graders. The lessons we used did not involve them getting
up much or moving. This is difficult for that age. Next week, I am
going to incorporate some songs, rhymes and movement into their
lessons.
3. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
Next week I will add the first hour every other day, so I will be
teaching everyone except one period every other day in the
mornings and second graders. Certain classes finish earlier than
others due to different levels, so I need to plan extra activities for
those groups to keep them engaged.

Student Teaching Weekly Log (Week 4)

April 16th, 2016

2. How did you spend your time this week? What responsibilities
did you have?
My responsibilities were to teach second period every day, first
period every other day, and the younger kids in the afternoon.
Lessons were co-planned and I added a few activities with
movement into the lessons. I also participated in Cluster and PD on
Wednesday morning.
3. What were your most satisfying experiences? What were your
most challenging experiences?
The most satisfying experience was watching and teaching a song
and video to the younger kids in order for them to remember
months of the year in Spanish. They really picked up on it and were
engaged in the lesson. Its amazing how much the younger kids
retain and remember each day. They are eager to learn, love
Spanish, and participate most of the time. They also love giving
hugs and are getting to know me better. I am feeling more
comfortable with all classes.

Saydel; Woodside & Cornell

Rene Hennessy
The most challenging experience was making connections with
some students in our most challenging eighth grade class. I have
tried a few times to ask personal questions to get to know some of
them, but some still were very disrespectful to Miss Newton and me.
For example, they blurt out that they hate this class, they dont
know why they are there, or they refuse to do what we ask.
4. What are the plans for the upcoming week?
Next week I will teach full time and be responsible for all lesson
plans. I will be sure to incorporate two activities each day for the
seventh and eighth graders that will get them out of their seats and
moving. Those class periods are seventy-seven minutes long and
they need more movement with learning.
As for the younger kids, I will continue to incorporate music and
movement to retain engagement while learning.